Means for mounting a lens display-sign.



0. SMITH.

MEANs FOR MOUNTING A LENS DISPLAY SIGN.

APPLIGATION'PILED NOV. 16 1912.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

A mzmms.

W! T N E S5155 'HE NORRIS PETERS c0. PHOTGLITHQ. WASHINGTON, n. c

' osoan sMITr-r, or DOYLES'IOWN, onro.

MEANS FOR MOUNTING A LENS DISPLAY-SIGN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

7 Application filed November 16, 1912; Serial No. 731,813.

The object of this invention is the provision of a mounting for lens display signs,

' embodying a crystal lens and a supporting structure of sheet material which are constructed in such a manner that the lens is axially mounted in the supporting structure by forcing the same through an opening therein which is provided with means for engaging and securely holding the lens in place, and also, so that the shoulder upon the lens will engage, in parallel relation, the surface of the supporting structure, thus aiding and properly holding the lens in place and preventing oscillatory movement of the same.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists of such details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several Views, and in which Figure 1 is a front view of the lens and mounting. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a rear View of the plate. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view.

In the drawings, 1 designates the lens, which is made of any transparent material, but preferably of clear crystal glass, having a convex head or main body portion 2 and a shank head 3. The lens is provided with a concave opening 4: extending from the back thereof a portion of the way into the convex portion 2. The purpose of the convex head 2 and the concave opening 4 is to condense the light waves protruding from any type of lighting means (not shown) which may be used in the display, thus making the sign (not shown) a series of exceedingly bright spots and greatly adding to its attractiveness.

The shank 3 of the lens 1 is provided with an annular recess 5, which is adapted for the reception of the tongues 6, which tongues are formed integral with the wall section 7 by slitting the section radially about the opening therethrough. The tongues proj ecting inwardly of the opening and slightly from one face of the wall section for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Said recess 5 being adjacent to the shoulder 8 of the convex portion 2 and terminating in a shoulder 9, which prevents the lens 1 from moving inwardly or outwardly once the projections 6 are seated in the recess 5. The tongues 6, are marginally disposed about an opening 7 formed in the wall section 7 and are formed by slitting the section radially from the opening at various intervals about the opening. The wall section 7 is made of any desirable sheet metal, of such elasticity as to allow the projections 6 to readily spring into the recess 5 of the lens shank when the lens 1 is mounted, but must also be of such tensible strength as to readily support one or any number of said lens firmly and in a rigid position. The recess 5 is preferably formed between the shoulder 8 of the convex head of the lens, and an annular shoulder 9.

The operation of the device is exceedingly simple. To mount a lens simply push the shank portion into the opening of the wall section and the tongues on the wall section being elastic will spring outward and allow the straight portion of the shank to readily pass through the opening and will then automatically seat themselves in the recess of the shank and firmly hold the lens in place. Then the shank 2, of the lens is forced through the opening 7, the tongues 6 will be forced due to their normal position and curved so that the edges or ends of the same will engage the inclined sides of the shoulder 9 preventing loose movement of the lens, the sides of the shoulder having the ends of the tongues arranged in abutting relation to draw the face of the head or shoulder 8 adjacent the shank into intimate contact with the wall section. By this arrangement it is impossible for water or ice to pass between the sides of the wall 8 and the outer face of the wall section and because of the intimate or frictional contact between these parts, oscillatory movement and vibration of the lens is prevented.

a The device is exceedingly simple in construction and operation and a decided improvement over the old method of screwing the lens into the plate.

Certain features of construction,-combination and arrangement of parts, are set forth in the drawings, which in practical fields may necessitate alterationsto which the patentee is entitled, provided such alterations are comprehended within the scope of what is claimed. Furthermore the lens is shown in the drawings as being round but applicant wishes, it to be understood that he is not to be limited to any specific shape of lens. I

Having thus fully described the invention and set forth its merits, what is claimed as new and useful is:

In a display sign the combination of, a wall section having an opening with a circle of tongues projecting inwardly of the said opening and projecting slightly from one face of the wall, and a lens having a head, a shank-extending through the opening in said wall section, and an arcuate shoulder formed on said shank, the side of said shoulder facing said head being inclined and against which the ends of the said tongues of said wall section abut to draw the face of said head adjacent its shank into intimate contact with said wall section.

OSCAR SMITH.

Witnesses FORREST CLEOKIM, JOHN WHITMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

